Investigating Iowa's Rising Cancer Rates: A New Initiative by the Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute

​On April 16, 2025, the Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute launched a groundbreaking statewide initiative to investigate the link between environmental risk factors and Iowa’s rising cancer rates. Iowa currently has the second-highest cancer rates in the U.S. and is one of only two states where those rates are still increasing. ​Log in or sign up to view+2IA Environment+2Bonterra Tech+2Bonterra Tech+1IA Environment+1

This project is the first in Iowa to combine a comprehensive academic review of environmental cancer risks—such as air pollution and water contamination—with a statewide community engagement campaign. The initiative will include a literature review overseen by an academic panel, resulting in a public report, a journal article, and visual data mapping. Additionally, community sessions will be held across urban and rural areas of Iowa during the summer of 2025 to gather personal stories and identify patterns in residents’ experiences with cancer. ​Log in or sign up to view+2Bonterra Tech+2IA Environment+2IA Environment+1Bonterra Tech+1

The ultimate goal is to inform policy and practices that improve public health by addressing environmental contributors to cancer. For more information, visit the Iowa Environmental Council's official announcement. IA Environment

Connecting Environmental Awareness to VitaRenova's Mission

The recent initiative launched by the Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute on April 16, 2025, highlights a critical intersection of environmental health and community engagement. This groundbreaking project aims to investigate the link between environmental risk factors and the rising cancer rates in Iowa, which currently has the second-highest cancer rates in the U.S. and is one of only two states where those rates are still increasing. This aligns closely with VitaRenova's mission of spreading environmental awareness.

Details of the Initiative

This initiative is significant as it is the first in Iowa to combine a comprehensive academic review of environmental cancer risks—such as air pollution and water contamination—with a statewide community engagement campaign. The project will include:

• A literature review overseen by an academic panel, resulting in a public report and a journal article.

• Visual data mapping to illustrate findings.

• Community sessions held across urban and rural areas of Iowa to gather personal stories and identify patterns in residents’ experiences with cancer.

Impact on Public Health

The ultimate goal of this initiative is to inform policy and practices that improve public health by addressing environmental contributors to cancer. This resonates with VitaRenova's commitment to fostering environmental awareness, as understanding the relationship between environmental factors and health outcomes is crucial for advocating for sustainable practices and policies.

By raising awareness about the environmental issues that contribute to health risks, organizations like VitaRenova can play a pivotal role in supporting initiatives such as this one. For more information about this important project, visit the Iowa Environmental Council's official announcement.